Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is offered at Ascension on the following days: Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (January); the Great Vigil of Easter (generally for adults); on a Sunday during Easter (April/May); the Feast of the Pentecost (May/June); All Saints' Sunday (following November 1); and, on the occasion of the Bishop's visit.
For Infants
Your child will be brought into Christ’s Body, the Church, and will then require nurturing within this Family. As parents, you are the effective “contact persons” of the Church Family for your child at this stage and are responsible for your child’s nurturing in the Christian life. You are invited to choose sponsors (godparents) who will share with you in this responsibility and who will join you in presenting your child for Baptism.
At
the time of Baptism, you, the godparents, and the congregation will make promises on behalf of the child who is, as yet,
unable to speak for him/herself. As the child grows, you will need to
share with the child what has been promised and enable him/her to grow
in the knowledge and love of God, and to accept the responsibilities of
being a member of God’s Church.
For a Baptism, the following is suggested:
- Parents are expected be members of the congregation and regular in attendance prior to a Baptism.
- At least, one of the parent should be baptized.
- At least, one of the sponsors (Godparents) must be baptized.
- Parents (and Godparents, where possible) are required to attend the pre-baptismal counseling with the priest prior to the Baptism.
Following are several suggestions of things you might wish to remember while preparing for the Baptism of your child and looking to the future of your child in his/her Church home:
1. Pray daily for your child.
2. Receive Communion regularly yourself and bring your child with you.
3. Maintain contact between your child and his/her godparents.
4.
Recognize that, as a baptized member of the Church, your child will be
able to receive Communion. (Communion Instruction classes are generally offered when children are in the first grade.)
